A re-shoot of the famous one-take seafront scene from Atonement is taking place on Redcar beach this summer as part of the build up to the 2018 Festival of Thrift.
Festival organisers have commissioned artist and film-maker Richard DeDomenici to make a super-thrifty version starring local volunteers of the five minute Dunkirk scene from the 2007 Oscar winning film.
The film’s director Joe Wright, who also directed last year’s Oscar-winning film ‘Darkest Hour’, has given the project his blessing and paid tribute to the town and the people who were involved with the 2007 film.
He said: “Redcar and the community there were integral to the filming of ‘Atonement’ and a total inspiration. I have incredibly fond memories of the place and wish you all well with this exciting endeavour.
He added: “Can’t wait to see the results. Go Redcar!”
Richard DeDomenici pioneered ‘redux’ movies – re-creating movie scenes in the places where they were originally shot, but using local people, cheap props and a hand-held camera – for festivals and events all around the world.
The Festival of Thrift’s redux version of Atonement also offers plenty of opportunities for local people to get involved.
The original Atonement Dunkirk scene shows a group of soldiers walking up the beach as military and civilian personnel prepare to evacuate from the beach, passing battered and wounded comrades and wrecked vehicles.
Festival of Thrift Director Stella Hall acknowledges that there is a lot to pack in.
“It is going to a huge amount of fun and, in keeping with Joe Wright’s superb original film, we are looking for people who would like to get involved.
“It’s open to everyone over the age of 16, male and female, and for every aspect of the project from ‘acting’ to being part of the support crew.
“We are aiming to make Redcar and Joe Wright proud!”
Visit http://www.festivalofthrift.co.uk/atonement_volunteer/ to register interest in being involved with the thrifty version of Atonement.
The festival organisers are also looking for any army style clothing or kit-bags or helmets to wear or to be lent for the day, or even vintage type vehicles.
The Festival of Thrift’s Atonement Redux will be premiered on Friday September 21 September as part of the launch party for this year’s Festival of Thrift. It will also be shown several times during the festival weekend from 22-23 September. After that it will be available to the world via YouTube.